Taraba primary school teachers protest against council autonomy

• One feared killed as Kebbi workers rally over pay
Primary school teachers yesterday staged a peaceful protest in Jalingo, the Taraba State capital, against plan to grant local councils autonomy.

The protest, which took off from the state secretariat of the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT) along Donga Road to the state House of Assembly Complex where they were received by the leadership of the House, was led by the state NUT Chairman, Peter Julius.

The teachers said that they were not against council autonomy, but that teachers’ remunerations should not be left in the hands of local councils.

According to the state NUT boss: “For our dear state and our country to actualise their dream of laying a better foundation for our education, granting local councils autonomy would not be the best for our education.

“So, we have resolved to be exempted from the ongoing plan to grant councils their financial freedom and other freedoms. We want to remain with the state where all our welfares, promotions and other entitlements would come and not local councils.”

The Assembly Speaker, Peter Abel Diah, told the teachers to be patient, as the House would ensure their request is granted.

In another development, one person was feared killed when members of staff of Kalgo Local Council in Kebbi State protested against shortage in their monthly salaries.

An eyewitness, who spoke on condition of anonymity, Hassan Kalgo, confirmed the incident.

Meanwhile, the state Commissioner of Police, Ibrahim Kabir, denied the death of any worker. He said no life was lost.